BHSU student-run radio and television stations broadcast original shows and provide access for city council meetings

The BUZZ station manager Hannah Kloiber, business administration and theatre major from Parker, Colo., said student disc jockeys are excited to reach a whole new audience with their weekly shows.

Attending a city council meeting might not be on the top of the list for most college students but Gabriele Palubeckyte, who video records city council meetings for the Black Hills State University student-run television station, says attending and recording public meetings is increasingher level of community involvement, enhancing her academic pursuits, and providing resume-building experience.

“By recording the Spearfish Council meetings, I am actively following current affairs and events of the city. This involvement helps me to become a better citizen and a participant in community life,” says Palubeckyte from Jurbarkas District Municipality, Lithuania. “Also, it gives me a chance to adapt the theory-based knowledge into practical skills. This hands-on experience enriches my resume and gives me confidence for my future career.”

The radio station, known as The Buzz, and the television station, KBHU-TV, have recently increased their reach and extended their programming. The changes are creating exceptional learning opportunities for mass communication students through live broadcasts, newscasts, original shows, and coverage of public events and meetings.

KBHU-TV Television Station

In addition to student-produced original programming, KBHU-TV just began airing city council meetings for the Spearfish and Lead communities.

Spearfish City Administrator Joe Neeb is enthusiastic about the telecasts. “The City Council strives to provide the Spearfish community with opportunities to engage in city business. Utilizing government access programming allows those that are unable to attend a meeting to stay involved.”

Dr. Scott Clarke, BHSU assistant professor of telecommunication and KBHU-FM and KBHU-TV advisor, says the students are gaining valuable experience doing the telecasts and look forward to future collaboration with the community. “The student staff of KBHU-TV and I are excited to serve our communities in this way,” says Clarke. “Our telecasts will help keep the public informed about local government.”

KBHU is available on Midcontinent channel 5 and WOW channel 16. The television station offers nine hours of original programming each day, including the student-produced programs Black Hills Revealed, in its second season; Exotic Conversations, in its third season; and KBHU-TV News, now in its eighth season. Special events are also broadcast live including the spring commencement May 10.

The Spearfish City Council meetings air four times each week: Tuesdays at 11 a.m., Wednesdays at 3 a.m., Fridays at 11 p.m. and Saturdays at 3 p.m. The Lead City Commission meeting telecasts also run four times weekly: Sundays at 9 a.m., Mondays at 1 a.m., Wednesdays at 9 p.m. and Thursdays at 1 p.m. Both councils meet biweekly, so the meetings will run for two weeks each.

KBHU-TV began telecasting to Spearfish in 2006. The student-run station increased its reach to Belle Fourche, Sturgis, Lead, and Deadwood in 2011. KBHU-TV programming is available worldwide at www.bhsumedia.com.

The Buzz Radio Station

The radio station greatly expanded its reach recently and now covers a 150-mile radius through KBHU and KJKT (K-Jacket). After suffering damage in an ice storm, the radio station has made repairs and upgrades and is once again simulcasting KBHU’s signal on KBHU 89.1 and KJKT-FM 90.7. In addition, the radio station broadcast streaming is available worldwide via the web at www.bhsumedia.com.

Station manager Hannah Kloiber, business administration and theatre major from Parker, Colo., said, "We here at The Buzz are thrilled. The DJs are really excited to reach a whole new audience with their weekly shows. Getting K-Jacket up and running again encourages new listeners to get acquainted with The Buzz and helps our sponsors get their names out to an even larger public."

BHSU student and radio station program director Scott Lemon, mass communication major from Mitchell, says the extended reach provides opportunities for students and the community. He says the student disc jockeys are very excited about the opportunity to expand their reach into Gillette, Rapid City, Belle Fourche, Lead, and other communities.

KBHU first went on the air in September 1974, broadcasting at 89.1 MHz and 10 watts of power. The station increased its power to 100 watts in April 1980 and began streaming its signal online in December 2000. KJKT went on the air in April 2009 at 90.7 MHz and 700 watts of power. The stations are licensed as noncommercial, educational broadcasters and depend upon the financial support of community members and businesses.

KBHU-FM has won dozens of regional and national awards, including “College Radio Station of the Year” from the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Media Association. BHSU students and faculty are active members in College Broadcasters Incorporated and the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System.

Broadcasting legacy at BHSU

The BHSU mass communication department has a legacy of preparing broadcasters who are leaders in this region and throughout the nation. Two recent BHSU graduates, Brendyn Medina and Tessa Thomas, are currently co-anchoring the KEVN Black Hills Fox expanded weekend newscast. Both Medina and Thomas graduated with a bachelor of science in mass communication with an emphasis in telecommunication.

During Swarm Week this fall, BHSU will celebrate its 40 years of broadcasting with a KBHU Reunion. All former DJs are invited back to campus Friday, Sept. 19 and Saturday, Sept. 20. For more information on this reunion, contact Tom Wheaton at 605-642-6385 or Tom.Wheaton@BHSU.edu.

To sponsor student-produced community programming, visit www.bhsumedia.com or call 605-642-6141.

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